March 2018 SOLC–Day 12
A huge thank you to Two Writing Teachers for all that they do to create an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write, learn, share and grow.
http://www.twowritingteachers.org
Scene 1
Setting: The family room of an old farmhouse in rural Maine. Under a row of windows is a long butcher block table with two chairs. It is piled high with stacks of papers, books, a journal, and a ukulele. Pens and pencils poke out of an empty ceramic pot next to a dying aloe plant. A large cup of coffee sits next to an open laptop computer. Under the table a variety of totes bulge with more books and papers. NPR radio broadcasts murmur in the background and the air is filled with the scent of good intentions.
Time: early on a Sunday morning
My Better Self (hereafter designated as BS):”No, Molly, you can not read another blog post. You have to start doing some school work!”
Me: (defiantly) “It’s Sunday and it’s not even 8 am yet. I can read and comment on a few more slices.”
BS: (slowly)”Well, okay. I guess you can read for a little longer.”
Me: (smiling)
BS: (decisively) BUT…only 3 more posts and you’re not allowed to click on any links.”
Me: (no longer smiling) “What!? Only 3? No links?” Grumble. Mutter. Grumble. “Fine.”
BS:”Ok, now set a timer.”
Me:”A timer?”
BS: “Yes, you need a timer or you’ll never stop. You can read and comment on three blogs, but you have to be finished in 10 minutes and start your school work.”
Me:”What! I don’t need a timer. I already agreed to only read three.”
BS: “You. Need. A. Timer. And…when you finish reading, you can’t start writing.”
Me: Gasp! “But what if I ‘m inspired? What if someone gives me a really good idea for a slice?”
BS: “No.”
Me: “But”
BS: (rudely interrupting) “NO! Jot down a note. Work for at least a solid hour, then you can take a 10 minute break.”
Me: (indignantly) “You are stifling my creativity.”
BS: “No, I’m saving your job…and your sanity…and you’ll thank me later.”
Me: Heavy sigh “Fine.” (Clicking on a link to open a slice.)
BS: “Timer?”
Me: “OKAY! OKAY!”
Nix the comfort zone 
This piece shows what this challenge means to you. I enjoyed the scene description.
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Or maybe it shows how much I prefer writing to grading papers! lol
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Retirement makes such conversations mute. Writing wins in retirement! And you can do it because you are not as tired from that pesky job, which does pay the bills, provides meaningful work, is satisfying, is exhausting, etc. Ah, time to write.
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Don’t taunt me! lol
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With our traveling and hiking curtailed for a while, I am going to free write for 15 minutes for as many as days I can to let blog ideas emerge. Do you free write to get your slices?
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Love the format of your slice and the competing voices that come through!
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Thanks! It was fun to write–actually, it was almost like taking dictation!
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Hehe this has me giggling! I love that you created a play with your inner dialogue. It shows how we have such polarized voices in our head that are at a constant battle. Which is really your better self?
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Love that final question, Cindy. I’m going to have to ponder that!
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I had a little laugh thinking about another meaning for BS and what you might like to call her somedays. Very creative format.
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Glad you caught that 🙂 I couldn’t resist.
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Oh no!! This is so me…. RIGHT NOW! I just bargained with self (BS) so I could read your post. Okay…. I’m setting the timer, not for post reading but for work, and I’m closing the laptop… wait, I have to keep it open for work. Thanks for a fun and timely reminder!
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Too funny, Alice! I fight this battle all the time, but especially during the challenge. There are so many blogs I want to read and comment on, but I simply have to limit myself.
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So funny 🙂
Reading your posts is positive addition to my day.
This conversation seem so familiar. I wonder how?
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What a nice thing to say! Thank you! I’ve really been enjoying your posts as well. It’s such fun to “meet” new bloggers during the challenge.
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I also was giggling at BS and have similar conversations with myself. 🙂
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I also have to have these conversations about reading. I make bargains with myself all the time!
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It is so easy to fall into the rabbit hole of reading and commenting on slices! I love your description of the setting but my favorite line is: “…the air is filled with the scent of good intentions.” I might even turn that into a slice!
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Oh, I hope you do! I’ll keep my eye out (when I can avoid the eagle eye of my BS and spend time reading and commenting lol).
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The tug between reading slices and doing what we are supposed to do! I know it well.
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I suspect most slicers know this struggle!
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Oh, I’ve had this conversation. This made me chuckle all the way through. thanks for sharing
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I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks!
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This was hilarious! I love the dialogue going on in your head!
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It is possible that parts of this dialogue were muttered out loud. I’ve gotten to that age! lol Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
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I had to laugh— your better self is BS, when your other self actually seems to have… maybe a little BS. 😉
It also sounds like me having a conversation with myself or me having a conversation with my son about one of two topics— stop tech or go to bed.
We humans are sooooo good at deflecting and delaying, aren’t we?
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